Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Cats and Other Holiday Quandries

The Holidays are fast approaching and many folks have already begun celebrating.  This can be a stressful and sometimes dangerous time for your pets.   Suddenly our homes are filled with strange new objects and visitors.  There are many new sights and smells that a curious pet can get into trouble with.  When making your holiday plans, be sure to keep your pet in mind.

• Yuletide plants such as Holly and Poinsettias, while not toxic, can still occasionally cause mild G.I. upset if ingested.  The best rule of thumb is to try to keep them out of reach to curious nibblers.
• Having guests over for parties or relatives over to stay can be stressful.  Make sure that your pet has a place to retreat if frightened.  Also keeping pets in a kennel or small room away from the activity can prevent accidents like escaping from a frequently opened door.
• Cats sometimes can't resist chewing on cords which can lead to possible electrocution.  Make sure to keep cords covered and/or out or reach.
• The Holidays are a time to indulge in all sorts of yummy treats but make sure they are out of your pet's reach.  Every December Veterinary clinics have an increase in pets that come in for things like chocolate ingestion and pancreatitis.  Don't let your pet be one of them! 
• When wrapping gifts make sure your kitty cannot get into the ribbons!  Due to the barbs in a cat's tongue they cannot help but to swallow string when they chew on it which can cause serious bowel obstructions. 
  

The Staff at Kutter Pet Care wish you a safe and Happy Holidays!

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T.

Kutter Pet Care Center 

How To Tell If Your Cat Is Sick

Cats by instinct hide their illnesses so even subtle changes in their behavior can be cause for alarm.   So how do you know if your cat is sick?  In addition to the obvious such as vomiting, sneezing, and diarrhea, watch closely for any of these signs:

1.      Not using the litter box:  Whether it’s urine or feces, a cat that stops using its litter box could be suffering from physical or psychological discomfort. 

2.       Your cat just isn’t acting like itself:  Even slight changes in the way your cat interacts with you or other pets can signal pain or distress. 

3.       Changes in activity levels: Decreases and increases alike can both be signs of illness

4.       Changes in eating habits:  This could mean eating more or eating less than usual.  Please note- if your cat hasn't eaten in 2 days bring them to your veterinarian ASAP!  Cats can develop a life threatening condition from just a few days of starvation.

5.       Unexplained weight loss or gain:  Does your cat feel lighter/heavier or do bones protrude more noticeably?

6.       Excessive grooming or lack of grooming:  Has your cat been licking obsessively or to the point of hair loss?  Is the coat matted or appear unkempt?

7.       Increased or changed vocalization:  Has she started meowing at night or does her meow sound different or more frequent than it used to?

8.       Bad breath:  Stinky kitty breath is not normal.  It could mean painful periodontal disease as well at many other conditions

9.       Hiding or sleeping in unusual places:  Has he began disappearing for long stretches of time or do you find him sleeping in a closet that he never used to sleep in?  Cats that don’t feel well will do this in an effort to hide it.

10.   She’s just getting older:  Old age isn’t a disease!  Many symptoms that owners chalk up to old age can, when caught early, be treatable which can help your pet’s quality of life. 

Many times cats are sick for several days before their caregiver notices.  Paying attention to your cat’s routine and personality can help you catch an illness early and potentially save its life!   

-Amanda Ward, R.V.T.
Kutter Pet Care Center